Finding an efficient home heating system is one of the best ways to lower one's energy bills and "go green" by reducing carbon emissions. Over the years, scientific research has resulted in amazing new technologies, such as geothermal heating, that are more environmentally friendly and economically advantageous. Continue reading to learn why a geothermal heating system is perhaps of the most energy efficient and eco-friendly way to heat a home.
Heat pumps move or "pump" heat from one location to another. Traditional heat pumps have two units: an outdoor unit, also known as a condenser, and an indoor unit called an evaporator coil. A "refrigerant" carries the heat from one unit to the other. During colder months, heat pumps extract heat from outside air and pump it indoors to make your home more comfortable.
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Geothermal heat pumps differ from traditional heat pumps in that they do not contain an outdoor condensing unit. Instead, geothermal heating systems extract heat from beneath the Earth's surface rather than from outside air. While temperatures above Earth's surface vary considerably, e.g. Florida's climate versus Alaska's climate, temperatures just below Earth's surface remain fairly constant. A geothermal heat pump collects this natural heat through a series of "geothermal loops" that can be installed in the ground below Earth's surface or immersed in a small body of water such as a pond. Fluid runs through the loops, carrying heat to the home, where it is then heated to a higher temperature via a compressor and heat exchanger. The home's air ducts then distribute the heated air throughout the home.
Consider a cave. In the summertime, a cave feels cooler than the ground temperature, right? But in the winter when the ground temperature is much colder, a cave feels warmer. In other words, the cave remains virtually the same temperature year-round, while ground temperatures experience drastic changes. The constancy of Earth's below-surface temperatures makes a geothermal heating system a reliable and effective way to heat a home in any climate. What's more, many geothermal heating systems can also provide a home with hot water for cooking, cleaning, and more.
Geothermal heating systems have numerous benefits over traditional heating systems. As previously mentioned, they are far more energy efficient than traditional heat pumps because they rely on Earth's natural heat. Using a geothermal heating system will significantly reduce a home's carbon footprint and drastically lower the homeowner's heating bill. These heating systems are also more reliable than air-source heat pumps, because they rely on Earth's constant below-surface temperatures rather than the ever-fluctuating outside air.
Geothermal heating systems are also quieter than traditional heat pumps and require less overall maintenance. Amazingly, geothermal heating systems are often guaranteed to last between 25 to 50 years. Their durability stems from the fact that there are fewer mechanical components to break down, and that most of their components are underground, protected from outdoor elements.
To learn more about geothermal heating systems, contact a geothermal heating contractor serving your area. Be sure to ask about the types of geothermal loops that would best suit your home and landscape (e.g. horizontal or vertical ground closed loops, pond closed loops). Also inquire about their company history, certification, and experience. Although geothermal heating systems cost more to install than traditional air-source heat pumps, they can pay for themselves in a matter of years with lower energy bills.
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